Iranian authorities arrested two women solely for promoting women’s rights. They are at risk of torture.

PUBLIC

AI Index: MDE 13/130/2007

07 November 2007

UA 297/07

Prisoners of conscience/ Fear of torture or other ill-treatment

IRAN

Ronak Safarzadeh (f)

Hana Abdi (f), aged 21, student

Women's rights activists Ronak Safarzadeh and Hana Abdi have been detained in the city of Sanandaj, in the north-western province of Kordestan, and are believed to be held in a Ministry of Intelligence detention facility. Neither is known to have been charged. They are at risk of torture or other ill-treatment. Amnesty International considers them prisoners of conscience, detained solely for the peaceful exercise of their rights to freedom of expression and association.

Both women are active members of the Campaign for Equality, which is seeking an end to legalised discrimination against women, and of the NGO Azar Mehr Women's Organization of Sanandaj, which is affiliated to the Campaign for Equality.

Ronak Safazadeh had attended a meeting on the International Day of the Child in Sanandaj on 8 October, during which she had collected signatures in support of the Campaign for Equality. The following day, men understood to be agents of the Ministry of Intelligence reportedly came to her house at 8.20am, confiscated her computer, copies of the campaign’s petition and a booklet it had produced, and detained her. After six days, her mother was permitted a brief telephone conversation with her.

In an interview with the Campaign for Equality (http://www.we4change.info/english/spip.php?article152), Ronak Safarzadeh’s sister said, "On Thursday [25 October] court proceedings were held in the case of Ronak and the authorities informed us that during these court proceedings the arrest order of Ronak was renewed for the period of one month." She also said that family members had not been allowed to attend her court hearing and that they had been told that Ronak Safarzadeh is being held in the detention facility of the Sanandaj Office of the Ministry of Intelligence, although they were not sure whether this was true. According to the Campaign for Equality, Ronak Safarzadeh’s mother was beaten by officials in the local office of the judiciary on 30 October when she went to try to find out about her daughter.

Hana Abdi is studying psychology at Payam-e Noor University in Bijar. She was arrested on 4 November by seven Ministry of Intelligence agents at her grandfather’s home in Sanandaj. The agents then searched her father’s home where they confiscated Hana Abdi’s computer and pamphlets explaining the aims of the Campaign for Equality.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The Campaign for Equality, launched in August 2006, aims to collect one million signatures from Iranians in support of an end to legalised discrimination against women. So far, 13 of its members have been arrested while collecting signatures, though this is not forbidden under Iranian law.

On 5 November, a 28 month jail sentence passed on Campaign for Equality activist Delaram Ali, 24, was upheld by an appeal court. She was reportedly one of around 70 people arrested in June 2006, following a peaceful demonstration against laws discriminating against women. Five other women activists who organised the protest were earlier this year given shorter jail terms of up to a year and suspended sentences of up to three years. She is expected to start serving the sentence immediately. In an interview, Nobel laureate and Iranian lawyer, Shirin Ebadi said: "Why should a woman who wants equal human rights be charged with acting against national security?"

Delaram Ali has been told to present herself to court in order to start serving a prison sentence which has not formally been conveyed to her. She has been told that if she does not attend court by 10 November, she will be arrested. There is also a risk that she will be flogged. If she is detained, Amnesty International would consider her to be a prisoner of conscience, detained solely for the peaceful exercise of her right to freedom of expression and association for her activities promoting women’s rights in Iran. The Head of the Judiciary has the power to suspend Delaram Ali’s sentence and to order a reinvestigation of the case.

Delaram Ali, a social worker, was arrested on 12 June 2006 during a peaceful demonstration in the capital, Tehran, which called for an end to discriminatory legislation against women. She and other demonstrators were beaten by police, and her left hand was broken as a result. She was released shortly afterwards, but was tried in June 2007 by Branch 16 of the Revolutionary Court in Tehran, which found her guilty of "participation in an illegal gathering", "propaganda against the system" and "disrupting public order and peace". In July 2007, the court sentenced her to 34 months’ imprisonment and 10 lashes. Delaram Ali has said that her defence lawyer was not allowed to speak during her trial.

She remained free pending an appeal, but on 4 November 2007, reports indicated that judiciary officials had told Delaram Ali and her lawyers by telephone that an appeal court had ruled on her appeal. The verdict has not been sent in writing to Delaram Ali. Some reports suggest that the appeal court has overturned the flogging sentence, and reduced the prison term to 30 months. Delaram Ali was told to report to the court for implementation of the verdict, at the latest by 10 November, or face arrest. Under Iranian legislation, it is illegal for a person to serve a sentence prior to it being delivered in writing to the person concerned.

Delaram Ali lodged a complaint against her ill-treatment during arrest, along with the others who were beaten, but in October 2007, a court dismissed all charges against the police officers who had been present at the demonstration.

In July, Delaram Ali said in an interview that her sentence of flogging, although “not much when compared to the prison term, [was] an insult to civil society and the women’s movement”. She also said in another interview that “[t]his verdict bears a huge cost for me. I, like our attorneys, could only think that this sentence is more like a warning for other women’s rights activists. ..Another issue is the allegations against me which are the same three allegations that other activists have been accused of. However, other activists have been cleared of two of the charges: “propaganda against the state” and “disrupting the public order”. I was convicted on these charges as well and received a sentence for them. This is a discrepancy, because I, alone, could not distribute propaganda against the state or disrupt public order. These verdicts are more like a warning from the state to remind us that this is also one of the positions the state can take against us, so that others get intimidated and learn their lessons”.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

On 12 June 2006 the Iranian security forces forcibly broke up a peaceful demonstration by women and men advocating an end to legal discrimination against women in Iran. The demonstrators had gathered in the "Seventh of Tir" Square in Tehran to call, among other things, for changes in the law to give a woman's testimony in court equal value to that of a man; and for married women to be allowed to choose their employment and to travel freely without obtaining the prior permission of their husband. Delaram Ali was among 70 people arrested during the demonstration on 12 June 2006 Several others were also beaten during their arrest. Photographs of their arrest can be seen at http://www.khosoof.com/archive/281.php#000281. Most, including Delaram Ali, were released shortly afterwards, but Sayed Ali Akbar Mousavi-Kho’ini was held for over four months and alleges that he was tortured in detention (see Urgent Action 181/06, AI Index: MDE 13/075/2006, 30 June 2006 and follow ups). Several other participants in the demonstration have also been sentenced, although none is currently detained.

Farzad Kamangar is a political prisoner who is currently in solitary confinement in one of Intelligence Ministry prisons in the city of Sanandaj. He has been in prison for the past 14 months. For the past 18 days Mr. Kamangar has had no contact with his family either through phone or visitation. His family has been inquiring about his whereabouts on a daily basis; however they have not been able to get any news either from the Ministry of Intelligence or the Revolutionary Courts.

Human Rights Activists in Iran have received news that Mr. Kamangar has been subjected to physical torture while in custody, both in the Intelligence Ministry Office in the City of Kermanshah as well as in Section 209 of the Evin Prison. He is suffering from serious burns on his left arm, broken hip bone, loss of some of his hair as well as other problems.

Human Rights Activists are concerned about Mr. Kamangar’s poor health which is the result of torture. They are further concerned about the fact that Mr. Kamangar has been missing for the past 18 days while the Intelligence Ministry refuses to give any information regarding his whereabouts.

Here are some pictures of the pro-democracy demonstrations that have been taken place in the past few days in Burma. I could not let it pass without showing my support and solidarity for these freedom fighters. I know the government in Burma is not very much better then the Islamic Regime and I can only imagine the courage needed to stand up to them, especially in this extent. This is beautiful and it fills me with home that one day, in the near future we will witness similar demonstrations on the similar scale in Iran. In the meanwhile I wish the very best for these freedom fighters and sincerely hope that they will be able to achieve their goal.

Besides the fact that Iranian judicial authorities overlooked the right to due process when they charged the 3 university students, Amnesty International fears that they also used torture to extract admissions of guilt.

PUBLIC

AI Index: MDE 13/114/2007

26 September 2007

UPDATE

Further Information on UA 113/07 (MDE 13/054/2007, 15 May 2007) and follow-up (MDE 13/077/2007, 22 June 2007 and MDE 13/098/2007, 1 August 2007)

Fear for safety/Fear of torture and ill-treatment/Medical concern

IRAN

Ahmad Qasaban (m), Student at Amir Kabir University, Tehran

Majid Tavakkoli (m), Student at Amir Kabir University, Tehran

Ehsan Mansouri (m), Student at Amir Kabir University, Tehran

Ahmad Qasaban, Majid Tavakkoli and Ehsan Mansouri reportedly appeared before Branch 6 of the Revolutionary Court in Tehran on 22 September on charges of "insulting Islam" and "acting against national security". The session was reportedly held behind closed doors and their lawyer was reportedly not given the opportunity to defend them. The next hearing is scheduled for 29 September.

The families of the three students were asked to attend the office of Tehran’s Chief Prosecutor, Sa’id Mortazavi, on 19 August. Said Mortazavi reportedly reiterated his warning that the families should not have given interviews or divulged information about Section 209 of Evin Prison and that as a result the students were being held in solitary confinement and forbidden from receiving family visits or phoning them. He reportedly said that the three Amir Kabir University students should write a letter of repentance in order to secure their release. He further denied that the students had been tortured.

Later that day, during a news conference on freedom of speech held by Shirin Ebadi, Ehsan Mansouri’s mother, Azam Tajik, publicly accused the authorities of torturing the three students in order to obtain confessions. She reportedly said "Our children were forced to confess in prison under torture" … "When they left solitary confinement they rejected the statements they had given." Azam Tajik further added that the authorities have accused the family of lying and told them to stop giving interviews.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The crisis at Amir Kabir University started on 30 April 2007 with the publication of student newsletters carrying articles which university officials deemed insulting to Islam.

These newsletters, bearing the names and logos of four student publications, were distributed throughout the campus. They contained three controversial articles and two caricatures which could have been perceived as critical of the Iranian government and insulting to Islam. Distribution of the publications took place one week before the annual elections to a student union, the Islamic Students’ Association (ISA).

One article questioned the infallibility of the Prophet Mohammad, the first Shi’a Imam, Ali, and the place of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Another criticised the government's crackdown on women’s clothing, and a third ridiculed Islamic women’s attire.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Using your own words, please choose a few of the suggestions below to create a personal appeal and send it as quickly as possible:

- asking for the details of the charges against Ahmad Qasaban, Majid Tavakkoli and Ehsan Mansouri, including the evidence against them and the outcome of any trial proceedings against them, to be made public;

- expressing concern at reports that the three men’s lawyer was not given the opportunity to defend them during the hearing and as such their trial did not meet international standards for fair trial, as laid down by Article 14(d) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Iran is a State Party;

- expressing concern that the three men have been prevented from receiving family visits and calling on the authorities to ensure that they are given immediate and unconditional access to their lawyers, their families and any medical treatment they may require.

- reminding the authorities that confessions extracted under duress are prohibited by Article 38 of the constitution of Iran, which says that “All forms of torture for the purpose of extracting confession or acquiring information are forbidden,” and that Iran is a state party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), of which Article 7 states that “No one shall be subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment.”;

- expressing concern that Ahmad Qasaban, Majid Tavakoli and Ehsan Mansouri are alleged to have been tortured and seeking assurances that they will not be subjected to further torture or ill-treatment;

- calling on the authorities to order an immediate investigation of these allegations and to make the findings public;

- calling on the authorities to release them immediately unless they are to be tried promptly and fairly, in accordance with international fair trial standards, on recognisably criminal charges.

On Tuesday September 11, 2007 two political prisoners were removed from the section where they were being incarcerated for the period of two hours, to prevent them from speaking to a foreign reporter who was visiting the prison.

Mr. Keyvan Rafiee and Mr. Arjang Davoudi were removed from section 350 of the Evin prison between the hours of 9:30am-11:30am so that they would not be able to meet to the foreign journalist.

Human Rights Activists in Iran condemn the creation of an ideal scenario in the prison for foreign journalists and would like to remind the Iranian Regime that so far these scenarios have not given the desired result and the voice of political prisoners will be heard by the world, one way or another.

According to news received from the Evin Prison, Dr. Keyvan Ansari a student activist has been transferred to Section 350 of the Evin Prison.

Keyvan Ansari a PhD student at Amir Kabir University had been imprisoned in Section 8 of the Evin Prison was transferred to Section 350 of the Prison a few hours earlier.

Keyvan Ansari along with Pouya Jahandar and Saeed Derakhshandi were arrested last year and charged with organizing illegal groups, coaching a group of individuals to attack a National Television Seda Sima, having secret emails, Insulting Regime Officials through written statements on their computers…They spent the last year in pre-trial custody awaiting their trial and sentence.

P.S. According to other news I recieved today from Iranian Political Prisoners Association Mr. Ansari has been sentenced to 3.5 years imprisonment. For further information please check out http://iranppa.blogspot.com/2007/09/keyvan-ansari-transferred-to-section-8.html

Azerbaijani language rights activist Amir Abbas Banayi Kazimi was beaten and detained on 14 May at his home in Tabriz: he was reportedly first held at a Ministry of Intelligence detention centre, then moved on around 1 August to Tabriz’s central prison, where his mother was able to visit him. She told an interviewer from the Voice of America (VOA) Azerbaijani-language radio station that he had been tortured. The following day he was apparently moved to a Ministry of Intelligence detention centre somewhere in Tabriz, where he is at grave risk of torture. He has not been formally charged with any offence.

On 4 August, his mother, Jamileh Kazimi, had told the VOA Azerbaijani-language service that her son had been detained for his defence of Iranian Azerbaijanis' right to use their language. She said that he had been tortured, causing his teeth to be broken, hair to be pulled from his scalp, and blue bruising marks all over his face and body.

His father, Rahim Banayi Kazimi, who has been able to visit him once, reportedly stated that his son had begun a hunger strike to draw attention to his plight, but it is not known whether he is continuing with it.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Iranian Azerbaijanis, who are mainly Shi’a Muslims, are the largest minority in Iran, constituting at least 25-30 per cent of the population. They live mainly in the north and north-west of the country. They are increasingly demanding greater cultural and linguistic rights, including the right to education in their mother tongue of Azerbaijani Turkic. A small minority advocate secession of Iranian Azerbaijan from the Islamic Republic of Iran and union with the Republic of Azerbaijan. Those who seek to promote Iranian Azerbaijani cultural identity are viewed with suspicion by the Iranian authorities, who often accuse them of vague charges such as "promoting pan-Turkism".

In May 2006, massive demonstrations took place in towns and cities in north-western Iran, where the majority of the population is Iranian Azerbaijani, in protest at a cartoon published on 12 May by the state-owned daily newspaper Iran, which many Iranian Azerbaijanis found offensive. Hundreds were arrested during and after the demonstrations. Other waves of arrests have occurred around dates significant to the Azerbaijani community, such as a boycott of the start of the academic year in September 2006, after demonstrations in February 2007 on the occasion of International Mother Tongue day, and on the anniversary of the May 2006 demonstrations.

On Sunday August 26th and Wednesday August 29th a prayer session was conducted on behalf of political prisoners in Iran. Number of political prisoners including Keyvan Rafiee, Behrouz Javid Tehrani, Farzad Kamangar, Abolfazl Jahandar, Saeed Derakhshandi, Babak Dadbakhsh and Mostafa Daryanavard were mentioned by name and there was a general prayer for all political prisoners in Iran.

I would like to thank Solid Rock Ministry for remembering these freedom fighters in their prayers. These individuals are currently in prison and under unbearable conditions and it is wonderful to know that they are not forgotten and that they are close to our hearts regardless of the distance and the prison walls.

Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence has Sa'id Metinpour in custody. He has been a victim of torture, his health is fragile and his rights to judicial and medical assistance have been denied.

PUBLIC

AI Index: MDE 13/106/2007

23 August 2007

UPDATE

Further Information on UA 137/07 (MDE 13/068/2007, 7 June 2007)

Fear of torture or ill-treatment/ Possible prisoner of conscience

IRAN

Sa'id Metinpour (m), journalist, Azerbaijani cultural rights activist

Sa’id Metinpour is now known to be held in Section 209 of Evin prison in Tehran, which is run by the Ministry of Intelligence. He has reportedly been tortured, apparently to try to force him to make a videotaped “confession”. He is believed to be held mainly in solitary confinement. According to other detainees, his health is poor as a result of the treatment he has suffered.

He was arrested on 25 May in the north-western city of Zenjan. Amnesty International believes that he is a prisoner of conscience, held solely on account of his peaceful activities on behalf of the Iranian Azerbaijani community. He has not been allowed to meet his family or his lawyer, and his sole contact with the outside world has been a few extremely brief telephone calls to his family.

Prior his arrest in May, Sa’id Metinpour had been detained in February 2007 and held for 10 days in connection with his participation in peaceful demonstrations marking International Mother Language Day, an annual event initiated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) on 21 February.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Iranian Azerbaijanis demonstrated throughout May 2007 to mark the first anniversary of protests during which the security forces reportedly killed up to 19 people and arrested hundreds. The May 2006 protests were organised against the publication in a national newspaper of a cartoon which was offensive to many Iranian Azerbaijanis.

According to news received by Human Rights Activists in Iran Abolfazl Jahandar was taken to the criminal court section 59/10 on Wednesday August 22, 2007.

Mr. Abolfazl Jahandar was not represented by a defence lawyer, and he was astonished to find out that seven (7) new charges were laid against him. This came as a major surprise since Mr. Jahandar had already been tried and sentenced to 2.5 years of imprisonment,, and was serving the sentence when these new charges were laid against him. Mr. Jahandar also served 6 months of pre-trial custody.

Human Rights Activists in Iran condemn new charges being laid against political and human rights activists who have already been tried and are serving their sentence.

When I first saw the video of Hossein and Majid Kavousifar I did not undrestand why he was smiling while being taken to his execution.

Two weeks ago I was looking for a good Akbar Mohammadi picture to frame, I chose one where he is wearing a suit, there is no smile on his face. My dad told me that I should find a picture where he is smiling, because we should never show the enemy that we feel sad, discouraged or defeated. Thats exactly what I did, I found a picture of him smiling.

I recently had the pleasure of reading Akbar Mohammadi's Memoirs, a quote stuck with me "I am not afraid of death. It is quite true that life is precious, life is sweet but for freedom and in defense of the people, death is even sweeter"

I have been thinking about Kavousifar's and Akbar Mohammadi's smile for quite sometime now, and it finally came together. Now I undrestand why he was smiling. Kavousifar's smile was not one of defeat, it was of victory, it was a smile mocking the oppressors and telling them that the end is near...

On Sunday August 12, 2007 I attended the remembrance service for Akbar Mohammadi, student activists, political prisoner and a real national hero.

Akbar Mohammadi was arrested during the famous July 9th 1999 (18 Tir) pro-democracy student demonstrations. He was accused of being one of the leaders of the student movement. The Islamic Regime officials tortured him for months in the most brutal way in order to obtain a confession from him, however even under the most brutal and inhumane conditions he refused to confess either against himself or against any of the other students that were involved in the demonstrations.

Eventually he was sentenced to death, but due to extensive international pressure his sentence was reduced to 15 years imprisonment. Akbar Mohammadi died in the Evin prison in August of 2006 while he was in hunger strike, and under very questionable circumstances.

It is strongly believed by many Iranians including myself that Akbar was murdered in prison by Islamic Regime officials, because of the great fear the Regime felt towards this brave Iranian man.

About 300 people attended this event. There were a number of speakers from different political parties, as well as number of great poets and Iranian artists. My two favorite speeches were of Manouchehr Mohammadi and Kourosh Sehati. Manouchehr is Akbar’s brother and was arrested at the same time as Akbar and went through the same tortures and was in prison with Akbar for seven years. He was forced to escape from Iran after Akbar’s death. He spoke about his memories of Akbar especially in prison.

Kourosh Sehati is also a student activist who was Akbar’s cellmate for two years. He also spoke about his memories with Akbar. Listening to these two men was a great pleasure and helped me know Akbar on a more personal level.

I also had the great honour to speak at this event; I attended on my own behalf as well as on behalf of Human Rights Activists in Iran, a group I am working with very closely. I also had the pleasure to deliver number statements that were sent from Evin and Gohardasht Prison in support of Akbar Mohammadi and his family. All statements were read throughout the event and I know his family very much appreciated the gesture of these freedom fighters in Iran who saw Akbar not only as a friend but also as a real leader.

On this special day I asked the people present to remember many other freedom fighters that are currently in the Islamic Regime dungeons and need our help. It is so very important to remember them while they are alive and able to fight, if we don’t remember them today and try to raise their voices, tomorrow might be too late. I ask everyone to please remember Keyvan Rafiee, Behrouz Javid Tehrani, Farzad Kamangar, Abolfazl Jahandar, Saeed Derakhshandi, Mohammadi Hassan Fallahizadeh, Abdolreza Rajabi, Amir Reza Mohammadi, Farhad Vakili, Ali Heydariyan, Mostafa Sangtarash, Abbas Shirza, Dr. Ebrahim Afshar, Hashem Shahiniya, Amir Hossein Heshmatsaran,Alireza Karimi Khyrabadi, Mostafa Daryanavard, Reza Babatabar, Babak Dadbakhsh, Farshid Babayi Farzi, Abdolreza Najafiyan, Hossein Asghari and so many more…

In conclusion I thought it was a great event, although I would have liked to have seen more people participate in an event remembering a great national hero who gave up his life for a free Iran. It can be easy to lose hope especially when we saw 5000 Iranians attend a Dariush concert the night before this event, however only 300 people were willing to attend this particular event.

However I cannot and will not lose hope, because as long as Iran has such brave and freedom loving young men and women following in Akbar Mohammadi’s footsteps and fighting for justice, democracy and freedom the Islamic Regime will never win.

In memory of Akbar Mohammadi and in the hopes of having his dreams realized in the very near future

Human Rights Activists in Iran are writing to express their grave concern over the illegal arrest and detention of Keyvan Rafiee, a 23 year old human rights activists and the spokesperson for Human Rights Activists in Iran.

Mr. Rafiee was arrested on July 9th 2006 during student protests marking the 7th anniversary of the 18 Tir pro-democracy demonstrations. At the time of his arrest Mr. Rafiee was not formally charged, and a year later situation remains the same. After more then a year in the notorious Evin Prison, 8 months of which was spent in section 209 of the Evin Prison in solitary confinement and under physical and psychological torture,Mr. Rafiee has still not been formally charged with an internationally recognizable criminal offence.

It is important to note that in the past year Mr. Rafiee has not been able to see his lawyer even once, and his lawyer has not been allowed to attend court.

His trial which had been set for July 29th 2007 was adjourned for the fourth time, due to the non-attendance of the prosecution. A new trial date has not been set. The Human Rights Activists in Iran strongly believe that the constant postponement of the trial is due to the fact that eh prosecution has absolutely no evidence against Mr. Rafiee and is keeping him in prison in order to be able to build a case against him.

The Human Rights Activists in Iran ask that European Union raise this specific case and insist that the Iranian government respect its obligations under international human rights law. E.U. should call for the release of Keyvan Rafiee or in the alternative for him to be charged with an internationally recognizable criminal offense and accorded a trial that meets international fair trial standards.

We ask that the E.U. take a strong stand against human rights violations in Iran, which has been increasing the past year and to ensure that the rights of individuals such as Keyvan Rafiee, who are detained solely because of their peaceful expression of their beliefs and ideas are protected.

According to news received from Section 209 of the Evin Prison, since his arrest Mansour Osanlou has been subjected to brutal physical torture.

Mr. Osanlou who is the head of the Executive Committee of the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company, was kidnapped and illegally detained a number of weeks ago by the Intelligence Ministry. He has been so brutally tortured during interrogation that his ribs are severely damaged and it was seen by other prisoners that while he was being taken to interrogation he was walking with great difficulty.

His family have not been able to contact him since his arrest and are extremely concerned about his health and well being.

Human Rights Activists in Iran are extremely concerned about Mr. Osanlou’s health and well being and ask for his immediate and unconditional release.

Three Amir Kabir students Ehsan Mansouri, Majid Tavakoli and Ahmad Ghasaban are still in section 209 of the Evin Prison which is under the control of the Intelligence Ministry. Since their arrest they have been subjected to brutal physical and psychological torture. In protest to their inhumane treatment, these student have gone on a hunger strike and there is great concern for their health and well being.

According to news received from Section 209 of the Evin Prison, Mr. Farzad Kamangar, a political prisoner that has been on hunger strike since Tuesday July 31st 2008 has been sent to solitary confinement.

Mr. Kamangar had gone on a hunger strike in order to protest his inhumane treatment in the Evin Prison. It is believed that he was put in solitary confinement in order to increase the pressure on him and make him end his hunger strike. Both his family and former cellmates are extremely concerned about his health and well being.

It is important to mention that Mr. Kamangar has been in custody for more then 11 months and has not had access to a lawyer, phone calls or visitation with his family.

Human Rights Activists in Iran are extremely concerned about the health and well being of Mr. Kamangar and ask all human rights organizations to condemn the inhumane treatment of political prisoners in Iran.

According to news received from Section 209 of the Evin Prison, political prisoner Farzad Kamangar has been on a hunger strike since Tuesday July 31st 2007 in protest to his inhumane treatment in Section 209 of the Evin Prison in cell number 121.

Mr. Kamangar has been in prison for the past 11 months on charges of being in contact with opposition groups. In the past 11 months Mr. Kamangar has not had any access to telephone, has not had any visitation rights and has not had access to a lawyer.

Human Rights Activists in Iran have also received information that Mr. Kamangar was also tortured both physically and psychologically in Kermanshah prison and had gone on a 30 day hunger strike prior to this current strike.

Human Rights Activists condemn the fact that Mr. Kamangar has not had access to his lawyer, visitation rights or even the right to make phone calls, and express their grave concern for the health and well being of Mr. Kamangar.

Someone just sent me this disturbing videohttp://www.pasargodrecords.com/files/NEWEXECUTIONSOFIRANIANS.wmv

I did not realize what it was until a few seconds into it. I have to admit I did not have the strength to watch it all, and stopped at the point where these young men stand at the noose smiling. Hossein and Majid Kavousifar were convicted of the murder of a top revolutionary court judge, who was responsible for the imprisonment of many political prisoners. They were hanged on Thursday in Tehran in public.

While I in no way advocate violence and am actually completely against it, I do believe these executions took place for political reasons rather then criminal. In the past month alone more then 42 people have been executed in Iran, number of them publicly. The execution of Majid and Hossein Kavousifar was the first public execution in Iran in the past 5 years. This is Islamic Regime's way of spreading fear and terror among Iranian people especially dissidents and to show that no one is safe. In the face of last months protests against the rationing of oil as well as non stop advocacy by women, worker, teacher, student and journalist groups Islamic Regime knows that it is in trouble and will not stop at anything to silence these voices of opposition. If we are not careful, alert and active there is no guarantee that the mass executions of 1988 will not be repeated.

I really don't know what I found to be more disturbing in this video, the nature of the execution being public, or the fact that thousands of people gathered to watch, man of them smiling or the silence of millions of Iranians as well as the International Community in the face of such atrocities.

Five of the students named above were released on bail on 18 July. Ahmad Qasaban, Majid Tavakkoli and Ehsan Mansouri have reportedly begun a hunger strike in protest at their continuing detention. They are reportedly being subjected to torture.

The families of the three remaining detained students have reportedly been able to visit them twice since their arrest. On 24 July the families wrote an open letter to the Head of the Judiciary, Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi, in which they describe publicly for the first time the torture and ill-treatment of the students. The three students reportedly told their families that seven of their interrogators simultaneously had beaten them severely with cables and whips. Their interrogation sessions sometimes lasted up to 24 hours or would take place in the middle of the night. They were kicked in the arms, chest and back and punched in the face and on the head, so that they fell off their chairs and were then thrown against the walls. They have been forced to remain standing for up to 48 hours and forced to stand on one leg for up to 18 hours. They have been prevented from receiving medical care. Interrogators also told them, falsely, that members of their families had been arrested, beaten or harassed, or were ill.

The families had previously written three times to Ayatollah Shahroudi expressing concern that their children were being physically and psychologically ill-treated to make them confess to crimes they had not committed, and asking him to take action to halt this.

Abbas Hakimzadeh and Ali Saberi, who are six months from finishing their studies at Amir Kabir University in Tehran, have reportedly been suspended for two terms and banned from entering university premises.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The crisis at Amir Kabir University started on 30 April 2007 with the publication of student newsletters carrying articles which university officials deemed insulting to Islam.

These newsletters, bearing the names and logos of four student publications, were distributed throughout the campus. They contained three controversial articles and two caricatures which could have been perceived as critical of the Iranian regime and insulting to Islam. Distribution of the publications took place one week before the annual elections to a student union, the Islamic Students’ Association (ISA).

One article questioned the infallibility of the Prophet Mohammad, the first Shi’a Imam, Ali and the place of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Another criticised the government's crackdown on women’s clothing, and a third ridiculed Islamic women’s attire.

Here is the latest letter by Behrouz Javid Tehrani regarding the execution of 16 prisoners in Gohardasht Prison this weekend. You can find the original link for the letter on Iranian Human Rights Activists Weblog at: http://iran-hra.blogfa.com/post-435.aspx

At the same time let us not forget about Behrouz who in the face of injustice and oppresion and inspite of physical threats continues his human rights work from inside the prison walls.

In the Name of Freedom,

This week was an extremely sad week for the prisoners of Rajai Shahr (Gohardasht) Prison in Iran. On Saturday July 21st 2007 four prisoners were transferred from Gohardasht to Evin Prison and executed immediately. The executions did not end there and on Sunday July 22, 2007 prison officials transferred 12 more prisoners to Evin Prison and executed them.

There were at least two political prisoners named Fazel Raszani and Hajat Morad Mohammadi among these 16 individuals, whose identity cards read “ threat to national security”. These young men were not able to stand by idly and watch a girl in their village get raped by a top Islamic Revolutionary Guard Officials. They defended the young girl, and as a result of the physical altercation the Revolutionary Guard died.

I do not know if there were any other political prisoners among those who were executed, but I do know the reason behind this new wave of crackdown and oppression by the Islamic Regime, both in prisons and on the streets.

This undeserving Regime, which has recently been criticized by the international community is afraid of internal protests and critism and it has stooped to arresting people with numerous excused including not having the “proper” Islamic Hejab or “Acting against national security” and using different methods, including illegal arrests, imprisonment, beatings, torture and executions to break the will of the people and take away their self worth and self confidence.

The Islamic Regime arrests and imprisons union leaders in order to create fear among the workers and prevent further protests and demonstrations against the Regime. They have also increased pressure on political prisoners to prevent them from raisin their voices against injustice.

However the Regime must look to see how effective these techniques really are. After 28 years, the Iranian people have defiantly shown their distaste and opposition for the Islamic Regime and there is nothing that can change that.

Will the Iranian Nation be intimidated and silenced in the face of these threats? Or will this oppression and recent crackdowns on innocent people force the Iranian Nation to stand up against the Regime and demand their rights? We will surely see the result of this latest crackdown on the youth in the next few months. The Islamic Regime leaders need to prepare to face the consequences of their barbaric actions.

Adnan Hassanpour and his cousin Abdolwahed (known as Hiwa) Butimar have been sentenced to death. Adnan Hassanpour, a Kurdish journalist and advocate of cultural rights for Iranian Kurds, was detained on 25 January and environmentalist Hiwa Butimar on or around 23 December 2006, both in Marivan, Kordestan province. They were reportedly held incommunicado in a Ministry of Intelligence facility in Marivan, and transferred to Marivan prison on 26 March.

Following his arrest Hiwa Butimar‘s home was searched by members of the Intelligence Service, who are said to have confiscated items including Kurdish flags, videos in Kurdish and family pictures of a trip to Iraqi Kurdistan. The confiscated items were also reportedly used as evidence against the cousins, who reportedly appeared before a Revolutionary Court in Sanandaj on 12 June, in the presence of their lawyer.

Adnan Hassanpour and Hiwa Butimar were reportedly returned from Marivan prison to an unconfirmed place of detention, possibly the detention facility run by the Ministry of Intelligence in Sanandaj, the capital of Kordestan province, early in the morning of 15 July. On 17 July the men were told that they had been sentenced to death on charges of espionage and Moharebeh (being at enmity with God). If confirmed on appeal, the sentences would then have to be further confirmed by the Supreme Court.

In an interview carried by the online publication Rooz, the two men's lawyer, Saleh Nikbakht, said that Adnan Hassanpour’s charges related to “a phone conversation he had with a staff member of Radio Voice of America”. He also said that Hiwa Butimar had been charged with carrying lethal weapons, although he denied his client had ever done so, and stressed he had not been in contact with any armed group (see: http://www.roozonline.com/english/archives/2007/07/006302.php).

In April, the Mehr News Agency, which is said to have close links with Iran’s judiciary, apparently alleged that Adnan Hassanpour had been in contact with Kurdish opposition groups and had helped two people from Khuzestan province, who were wanted by the authorities, to flee from Iran.

Adnan Hassanpour is a former member of the editorial board of the Kurdish-Persian weekly journal Aso (Horizon), which the authorities closed down in August 2005 following widespread unrest in Kurdish areas. Adnan Hassanpour had reportedly been tried for offences supposedly arising from articles published in the journal. Hiwa Butimar heads an environmental organisation called The Green Mountain Society.

Amnesty International has no information about Mansour Tayfouri.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Proceedings before Revolutionary Courts in Iran do not meet international standards for fair trial. The Penal Code contains a number of vaguely-worded provisions relating to association and "national security" which prohibit a range of activities, including those connected with journalism or public discourse which are permitted under international human rights law.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Using your own words, please choose a few of the suggestions below to create a personal appeal and send it as quickly as possible

- expressing concern that Adnan Hassanpour and Abdolwahed Botimar have been sentenced to death;

- urging the authorities to commute these death sentences immediately;

- acknowledging that governments have a responsibility to bring to justice those suspected of criminal offences, but stating your unconditional opposition to the death penalty, as the ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment and violation of the right to life;

- asking for full details of the charges and evidence against Adnan Hassanpour and Abdolwahed Botimar and expressing concern that their trial may not have met international standards for fair trial, which are especially important in capital cases;

- asking for details of why Mansour Tayfouri was arrested, including any charges and evidence brought against him and of any trial proceedings, and calling for him to be released unless he is to be charged with a recognisably criminal offence and given a prompt and fair trial;

- calling on the authorities to ensure that none of the three men is tortured or ill-treated;

- calling for Adnan Hassanpour, Abdolwahed Botimar and Mansour Tayfouri to be allowed immediate and regular access to their families, lawyers of their own choosing and any medical treatment they may require.

Execution is an antihuman phenomenon in all the international centers and according to all the international resolutions is against the Human Rights. Execution by totalitarian and dictator countries is a punishment for freedom thinkers and liberals and so.

In 17th July a report form revolution court of Sanandaj was published by all Islamic republic Medias saying that Adnan Hassanpur a member of editorial board of suspended weekly journal “Aso” and Abdolvahed (Hiwa) Butimar a civic active are convicted to execute.

Execute Conviction for these two civic actives not only is against the International Conventions and Human Rights that The Islamic Republic has signed them, but this reality shows that the leaders and officials of this regime are acting against these Conventions continually and trampled underfoot all its terms.

Continually convictions for journalism and civic actives are just an example of these clear actions against International Principles.

We as numbers of journalism, civic, political, intellectual, Women Rights, Student and Cultural Kurd actives and numbers of NonKurd Human Rights advocators and Humanists, cooperate with Leila Hassanpur (Adnan’s sister) convict the death sentence for Adnan Hassanpur and Hiwa Butimar and demand for invalidation this unjust conviction for these two Kurd actives and demand for a just trial for them, too.

Also, we demand that all international centers and organizations demand for invalidation of this unjust conviction and try for their freedom.

Iranian Kurdish journalist and human rights defender Mohammad Sadiq Kabudvand was reportedly allowed a short telephone call to his family on 17 July, in which he confirmed that he was detained in Section 209 of Evin Prison, and said that he was being accused of “acting against national security”, “propaganda against the system” and “cooperating with groups opposed to the system". He reportedly said that whenever he was interrogated he was blindfolded and bound hand and foot, and complained about the poor conditions he was held in.

He was arrested on 1 July at his place of work in Tehran by security officers in plain clothes, the day the publication ban on his newspaper Payam-e Mardom-e Kurdestan (Kurdistan People’s Message) reportedly expired. He is facing a one-year prison sentence in connection with articles published in this newspaper, but his current detention does not appear to be connected with this. His lawyer has not been allowed to meet him and has complained about suspicious phone calls from people claiming to be members of the Intelligence Ministry received by Mohammad Sadiq Kabudvand’s family. Amnesty International is concerned that he may be at risk of torture and ill-treatment and believes he is very likely to be a prisoner of conscience, detained solely for the peaceful exercise of his rights to freedom of expression and association.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Kurds, who are one of Iran’s many ethnic groups, live mainly in the west and north-west of the country, in the province of Kurdistan and neighbouring provinces bordering Kurdish areas of Turkey and Iraq. For many years, Kurdish organizations such as the Kurdistan People’s Democratic Party (KDPI) and Komala carried out armed opposition to the Islamic Republic of Iran, although more recently they have abandoned armed opposition in favour of a federal solution. Iran continues to face armed opposition mainly from the Kurdistan Independent Life Party (PJAK), which reportedly began operations in 2004, and is affiliated to the Turkey-based Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). Iran has accused foreign governments of fomenting unrest among its ethnic minorities.

Other Kurdish human rights defenders have also been detained recently. Ajlal Qavami, a member of the RMMK board and former journalist of Payam-e Mardom-e Kurdestan and member of the editorial board of the bilingual weekly Didgah (Viewpoint), was arrested on or around 9 July after being summoned to the Revolutionary Court in Sanandaj. He had previously been sentenced to three years' imprisonment by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court in Sanadaj for organizing a demonstration in July 2005 in protest at the killing of a Kurd, Showan Qaderi, by the security forces. He had appealed against this sentence but his appeal is reported to have been rejected, although neither Ajlal Qavami nor his lawyer was told this before he was arrested.

Iranian Kurdish human rights activist Loghman Mehri and his wife were reportedly taken away in a car on 18 July by three men in plain clothes who stopped them at the East Bus Terminal in Tehran. Eyewitnesses apparently saw Loghman Mehri being beaten and pushed into the back of a car along with his wife. Their whereabouts are now unknown, and they are at risk of torture.

Loghman Mehri is a member of the Kurdistan Human Rights Organization (RMMK). He has been arrested several times before. He was arrested in May 2004 during a peaceful May Day celebration in Saqqez, and during a demonstration against discrimination against women in June 2005, for which he was reportedly sentenced to six months' imprisonment and 25 lashes. He was last arrested in August 2005 in Saqqez following widespread unrest in Kurdish areas. He was released on bail, but was later sentenced to five years’ imprisonment in connection with these demonstrations, apparently on charges of “acting against internal security”, “membership of an illegal opposition group” and “incitement to riot”. This sentence was reportedly confirmed on appeal and was further confirmed by the Supreme Court on or around 11 July 2007.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Iran’s Kurds live mainly in the west and north-west of the country, in the province of Kurdistan and neighbouring provinces bordering Kurdish areas of Turkey and Iraq. For many years, Kurdish organisations such as the Kurdistan People’s Democratic Party (KDPI) and Komala carried out armed opposition to the Islamic Republic of Iran, although more recently they have abandoned armed opposition in favour of a federal solution. Iran continues to face armed opposition from some Kurdish groups, and has accused foreign governments of fomenting unrest among its ethnic minorities.

Violent unrest broke out in Kurdish areas in July 2005 and continued for several weeks, after the security forces shot dead a Kurdish opposition activist, and reportedly dragged his body through the streets behind a jeep. Thousands of Kurds took to the streets to protest, and in some places attacked government buildings. The security forces responded with substantial force and up to 20 people were reportedly killed and hundreds injured. The authorities acknowledged that five people were killed, and said their deaths were under investigation. At least 190 were arrested, according to official reports, although the true figure may well be higher.

Other Kurdish human rights defenders have been detained recently. RMMK head Mohammad Sadiq Kabudvand was detained on 1 July and is held in Section 209 of Evin Prison in Tehran (See UA 171/07, MDE 13/081/2007, 4 July 2007). RMMK board member Ajlal Qavami was arrested on or around 9 July after being summoned to the Revolutionary Court in Sanandaj. He had previously been sentenced to three years' imprisonment for organizing a demonstration in July 2005. He had appealed against this sentence but his appeal is reported to have been rejected, although neither he nor his lawyer was told this before he was arrested.

According to news received from the Evin Prison Mr. Mostafa Daryanavard who is still imprisoned at Evin is continuing his hunger strike.

Mr. Daryanavard is a supporter of Anjomane Padeshahiye Iran ( Iranian Monarchist Association). He was recently sentenced to 18 months imprisonment by Section 18 of the Revolutionary Courts and is currently on his 24th day of hunger strike. Mr. Daryanavard’s main request is to be transferred to Section 350 of the Evin Prison where political prisoners are held.

As a result of his hunger strike Mr. Daryanavard has become extremely weak and lost more then 16 kilograms. His blood pressure is also extremely low.

Human Rights Activists in Iran are extremely concerned about the health and well being of Mr. Daryanavard and urge all human rights organizations to condemn the inhumane treatment of political prisoners in Iran by the Islamic Regime.

According to the latest report received from section 209 of the Evin Prison, Mr. Abolfazl Jahandar, an imprisoned student activist has gone on a hunger strike.

Mr. Jahandar was a member of the Islamic Students Association in Alame Tabatabai University as well as a member of the student organization Tahkime Vahdat before his arrest and imprisonment.

Mr. Jahandar was arrested last year by the Intelligence Ministry Officials and has been captive in section 209 of the Evin Prison for the past 11 months. In protest to the refusal of the Evin Prison Officials to transfer him to the common ward for political prisoners he has been on a hunger strike since Saturday July 14th, 2007.

Human Rights Activists in Iran are extremely concerned for the health and well being of Mr. Jahandar and demand protection and respect for the rights of political prisoners in Iran.

An international trade union has condemned the disappearance of Iranian union leader Mansour Osanlou, who has reportedly been abducted in Tehran. Mr Osanlou's wife told the BBC her husband was pulled from a bus by unidentified men on Tuesday evening.

The International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) has written to Iran's president to protest.

Mr Osanlou, head of Tehran's transport workers' union, spent most of 2006 in prison for running a strike in 2005.

As the director of the Union of Workers of the Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company, Mr Osanlou was first detained in December 2005 for organising a walk-out by bus drivers.

The drivers then planned another strike in January 2006 in response to his detention and to demand recognition of their trade union activities.

This is a blatant violation of human and trade union rights

David CockroftInternational transport union The Iranian government responded by pre-emptively detaining hundreds of drivers, including several union organisers.

All were later released, but Mr Osanlou was detained in Tehran's Evin prison for several months before being freed on bail.

His union is not recognised by the Iranian government, but it is the first independent Iranian trade unions to be affiliated to an international organisation, says the BBC's Pam O'Toole.

Mr Osanlou received a standing ovation when he spoke at a recent conference in Europe.

'Bullies and thugs'

The ITF said there was strong reason to believe Mr Osanlou was being held by the Iranian authorities.

"He's been imprisoned about three times now. He has been beaten up on arrest, [and] he has been the subject of harassment by the security apparatus inside Iran simply for being the president of one of the first independent genuine trade unions which have been established in Iran.

"All of us are behind him now and demand his release and the reining in of the bullies and thugs who are hounding him."

As many of you may already know Mansour Osanlou, the Executive Committee of the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company (SWTBC), was abducted by plain clothed Regime Agents Last Tuesday. There is great concern for his health and well being. This is not the first time Mr. Osanlou has been arrested for his Union Activities. In the past he has been subject to brutal torture, as well part of his tongue was cut off (perhaphs in an effort to silence him).

Here is a link to a great video prepared by Human Rights Activists in Iran.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XervL0dlVD4

In the hopes of freedom for Mr. Osanlou as well as all all other political prisoners...

Amnesty International believes that judicial authorities have already stoned to death Mokarrameh Ebrahimi’s partner. She now faces the same fate.

AI Index: DME 13/084/2007

UA 179/07

Death penalty / Stoning

9 July 2007

IRAN

Mokarrameh Ebrahimi (f), aged 43

Mokarrameh Ebrahimi is at risk of execution by stoning for adultery. Ja’far Kiani, who was convicted of adultery in the same case and with whom she has two children, was reportedly stoned to death on 5 July.

Mokarrameh Ebrahimi and Ja'far Kiani were sentenced to death by stoning after being convicted of adultery by Branch 1 of Takestan's Criminal Court. Under article 83 of Iran’s Penal Code, execution by stoning is prescribed for adultery committed by a married man or a married woman. Under Iranian law, adultery can only be proved by the testimony of eyewitnesses (the number required varying for different types of adultery), a confession by the defendant (repeated four times), or the judge's "knowledge" that the adultery has taken place. In this case, the basis for the conviction of adultery was the judge’s “knowledge” that adultery had taken place.

The executions by stoning of Mokarameh Ebrahimi and Ja’far Kiani were initially scheduled for 17 June 2007 after an appeal to the Judicial Commission for Amnesty and Clemency to overturn their sentence was rejected, but was later changed to 21 June. The stonings were to be carried out publicly in the Behesht-e Zahra cemetery, in the town of Takestan in Qazvin province, northwestern Iran, in the presence of a judge from Branch 1 of the Criminal Court which sentenced them to death.

After activists involved in Iran's ‘Stop Stoning Forever’ campaign publicized this planned execution, the Iranian government was subject to widespread domestic and international demands, including from Amnesty International, to prevent the stonings. Following this outcry, it was reported on 20 June that the Head of the Judiciary, Ayatollah Shahroudi, had issued a written order requiring the judiciary in Takestan to stay the execution temporarily, though Mokarrameh Ebrahimi and Ja’far Kiani remained under sentence of death by stoning.

On 7 July, the ‘Stop Stoning Forever’ campaign reported that Ja’far Kiani had been stoned to death in Aghche-kand, a village outside Takestan, two days earlier. According to reports, the stoning was conducted mostly by local governmental and judiciary officials, and only a few members of the public participated.

On 8 July, the newspaper E’temad-e Melli reported that local people and a source connected to one of the local parliamentary representatives had confirmed the execution, although as yet there has been no statement from the judiciary.

Mokarrameh Ebrahimi has been imprisoned for the past 11 years in Choubin prison in Qazvin province. Her two children, one of whom is aged 11, are believed to live in prison with her.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

In December 2002 Ayatollah Shahroudi, the Head of the Judiciary, reportedly sent a ruling to judges ordering a moratorium on execution by stoning, pending a decision on a permanent change in the law, which was apparently being considered by the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

However, in September 2003, a law concerning the implementation of certain kinds of penalties, including stoning, was passed, which appeared to undermine this moratorium. Also despite the moratorium, Amnesty International continued to record sentences of stoning being passed, though none of these were known to have been implemented until May 2006, when a woman and a man were reportedly stoned to death. The two victims- Abbas (m) and Mahboubeh (f) - were reportedly stoned to death in a cemetery in Mashhad, after being convicted of murdering Mahboubeh’s husband, and of adultery. Part of the cemetery was cordoned off from the public, and more than 100 members of the Revolutionary Guard, and members of the Basij Forces (volunteer paramilitary units attached to the Revolutionary Guards Corps) were among those who stoned the couple to death.

On 21 November 2006, the then Minister of Justice, Jamal Karimi-Rad, denied that stonings were being carried out in Iran, a claim repeated on 8 December 2006 by Tehran's Head of the Prisons Organization. The campaigners against stoning responded by claiming that there is irrefutable evidence that the Mashhad execution did indeed occur.

In mid-2006, a group of Iranian human rights defenders began a campaign to abolish stoning, having initially identified 11 individuals at risk of stoning. Since the campaign began, three individuals have been saved from stoning: Hajieh Esmailvand (see UA 336/04, MDE 13/053/2004, 16 December 2004, and follow-ups), Parisa (see UA 257/06, MDE 13/113/2006, 28 September 2006, and follow-up), and Parisa's husband, Najaf. Others have been granted stays of execution, and some of the cases are being reviewed or re-tried. Seven women and one man are known to be under sentence of execution by stoning.

Trade union activist Mahmoud Salehi, who has been imprisoned since 9 April, is seriously ill and is allegedly not receiving the specialist medical treatment that he requires. Amnesty International believes that he is a prisoner of conscience, detained solely for the peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of expression and association in connection with the 2004 May Day demonstration, and with his peaceful trade union activities.

Mahmoud Salehi is the Spokesperson for the Organisational Committee to Establish Trade Unions, former President of the Saqez Bakery Workers’ Association, and co-founder of the Coordinating Committee to Form Workers’ Organisations. He was arrested after a peaceful demonstration to celebrate May Day 2004 along with six other trade union activists. They were all were later released on bail that same month. In November 2005 he was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment and three years' internal exile in the city of Ghorveh, in the north western province of Kordestan. At his trial, the prosecutor reportedly cited his trade union activities as evidence against him, and referred to a meeting he had held with officials from the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) in April 2004, shortly before the May Day demonstrations. His conviction was overturned on appeal, but after a retrial he was sentenced on 11 November 2006 to four years’ imprisonment by Saqez Revolutionary Court for “conspiring to commit crimes against national security” under article 610 of the Islamic Penal Code. Following an appeal, whose last hearing took place on 11 March, this was reduced to one year’s imprisonment, and a three-year suspended prison sentence.

Mahmoud Salehi was arrested on 9 April 2007. His son, in a letter carried on the website of the Iranian Workers' Solidarity Network, described his father’s arrest:

“One of the officers of the Saqez security force went to where Mahmoud Salehi (my father) works and told my father that the Governor and the Prosecutor would like to talk to him about this year's May Day ceremonies. My father… went to courthouse with this officer. Immediately after he entered the courthouse my father realised that this had nothing to do with the issue of [this year's] May Day! Instead this was about the May Day celebration of 2004 and the four-year sentence passed against him. Recently the appeal court changed the sentence to one year in custody and three years suspended, which the legal authorities are, in an illegal way, trying to implement. The legal authorities, despite my father and mother's protests, and my father's refusal to sign the summons and without paying any attention to his appeals and protests, immediately used severe security measures. Several officers surrounded him and bundled him into a car. The car carrying my father was escorted by several police vehicles and… left town for an undisclosed destination. My father is the first person who has had his sentence carried out in this way and transferred to prison immediately. The summons is supposed to have been given to him beforehand so that he could prepare himself for it.”

Mahmoud Salehi has only one kidney, is reported to be suffering from kidney stones, and is said to require dialysis treatment. A letter from his doctor, stating that Mahmoud Salehi requires treatment outside prison, was apparently delivered to prison officials on 15 May. His lawyer announced on 8 June that Mahmoud Salehi had begun a hunger strike in protest at his detention in Sanandaj Prison, which is 400km from where his family live. Amnesty International does not know whether he is continuing his hunger strike, but he is reported also to be suffering from heart and intestinal problems. On 17 June, he was reportedly taken to Towhid Hospital in Sanandaj, but was afterwards returned to prison.

Mahmoud Salehi has been denied visits from his lawyer and family; his family have been able to contact him by telephone.

He has been arrested several times before now. Amnesty International took action on his behalf in 2000 (see Medical Writing Action: Ill-health Mahmood Salehi, AI Index: MDE 13/30/00).

Eight years have passed since plain clothed police officers attacked and invaded the student dormitories at Tehran University. During that night Ezat EBRAHIM NEJAD and tens of other students were murdered at the hands of Iranian Regime’s barbaric agents.

Thousands of student activists were arrested and subjected to most brutal tortures imaginable. Manouchehr Mohammadi a student activist and a freedom fighter lost his younger brother Akbar Mohammadi, under torture in Evin prison.

Eight years later I am still in prison in relation to my activities during the July 9, 1999 (18 Tir) student demonstrations.

Eight years ago without having committed any crime, without a lawyer, and without due process I was sentenced to 8 years of imprisonment. After having served 4 years, and without any request on my part, I was pardoned by the Supreme Leader and released.

I was released exactly 43 days after my mother death. While my mom was ill I had requested to visit her briefly in the hospital on her death bed and later when she passed away I requested to attend her funeral, however both my requests were denied.

I was re-arrested shortly after my release once without any evidence and solely for my human rights activities. The Intelligence Ministry decided I was not deserving of the pardon and I must serve the remaining 4 years of my prison term as well as be sentenced to 74 lashes on my back. It is unfair that my back must pay the price for my mind and my hands.

On this 8th anniversary of July 9, 1999 (18 Tir) Demonstrations, besides keeping the memory of that day alive and remembering what happened to the innocent students, I ask all human right activists and organizations to identify and remember all student activists who have become faceless and forgotten in Iranian Prisons, and take the steps necessary to help them.

Iranian Kurdish journalist and human rights defender Mohammad Sadiq Kabudvand is detained in an unknown place, possibly Section 209 of Evin Prison. He was arrested on 1 July 2007 at his place of work in Tehran by plain-clothed security officers. Amnesty International is concerned that he may be at risk of torture and ill-treatment and believes he is very likely to be a prisoner of conscience, detained solely for the peaceful exercise of his rights to freedom of expression and association.

Upon his arrest, Mohammad Sadiq Kabudvand was initially taken to his house in Tehran , where the security officers confiscated three computers, books, photographs, family films and personal documents, before taking him away to an unknown destination. He is believed to have had no contact with his family since his arrest.

Chair of the Kurdish Human Rights Organization (RMMK) based in Tehran , Mohammad Sadiq Kabudvand, is also the editor of Payam-e Mardom-e Kurdestan (Kurdistan People’s Message) a weekly published in Kurdish and Persian, which was banned on 27 June 2004 after only 13 issues for “disseminating separatist ideas and publishing false reports”. Convicted of “disseminating tribal issues and publishing provocative articles” and “spreading lies with the intention of upsetting public opinion” by a Revolutionary Court in Sanandaj, western Iran, Mohammad Sadiq Kabudvand received on 18 August 2005 a suspended prison sentence of 18 months, and a five-year ban on working as a journalist. His conviction was reportedly upheld on appeal, but the suspended prison sentence was increased to one year’s actual imprisonment. In September 2006 he was summoned to begin his prison sentence, but remained free pending an appeal against his conviction to the Supreme Court.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The Kurds are one of Iran ’s many ethnic groups. They live mainly in the west and north-west of Iran , in the province of Kurdistan and neighbouring provinces bordering Kurdish areas of Turkey and Iraq . For many years, Kurdish organizations such as the Kurdistan People’s Democratic Party (KDPI) and Komala carried out armed opposition to the Islamic Republic of Iran, although more recently they have abandoned armed struggle in favour of a federal solution. Iran continues to face armed opposition mainly from the Kurdistan Independent Life Party (PJAK), which reportedly began operations in 2004, and is affiliated to the Turkey-based Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). Iran has accused foreign governments of fomenting unrest among its ethnic minorities.

Violent unrest in the Kurdish areas of Iran broke out in July 2005 and continued for several weeks, after Iranian security forces shot dead a Kurdish opposition activist, Showan Qaderi, and reportedly dragged his body through the streets behind a jeep. Thousands of Kurds took to the streets to protest. Security forces reportedly used light and heavy weaponry in response to the demonstrations, which in at least some places included attacks by demonstrators on government buildings and offices. Up to 20 people were reportedly killed and hundreds more injured. The authorities acknowledged that five people were killed, and stated that their deaths were under investigation. At least 190 were arrested, according to official reports, although the true figure may well be higher.

For the full Farsi text please click on the title of the article. For the English Text please read below

Statement of Political Prisoners in Gohardasht and Evin Prison in Regards to the Brutal Torture in this Prison

Peace upon those who have lost their lives for freedom and dignity of Iran and Iranians.

We the undersigned invite all human rights organizations inside and outside Iran to press the Iranian government in order to visit the Rajaishahr (Gohardasht) Prison and interview the political prisoners that have been transferred there from Tehran’s Special Intelligence Police Department. Around 70-80% of individuals that are sent to this prison have been subjected to severe physical torture and suffer from a number of physical disabilities as a result. The torture on prisoners is carried out under the direct order of the head of prison.

The purpose of this torture beside trying to break the spirit of prisoners is to acquire forced confessions, which is contrary to s. 13 of the Islamic Constitution. Section 13 of the constitution clearly states that torturing prisoners in order to acquire confessions is against the law and forcing an accused to confess by way of torture is not allowed under the constitution. Any confessions acquired during torture is not valid in a court of law and those who have acquired these confessions are subject to punishment under the same law.

We would like to draw attention to the situation of these freedom fighters and we ask for the punishment of violators for human rights laws in Iran, if in fact there is such a thing as human rights in Iran.

As of today 255 of individuals arrested in regards to the recent protests in Tehran have been transferred to Evin prison. About 100 of these individuals are in Section 1 of the prison while 40 of them are in rooms 7, 8 and 10 in Section 8 of the Evin Prison. 25 people are in rooms 1,2,4 in section 7 and six people have been taken to s. 209 of the Evin prison. Also 241 people have been taken to revolutionary detention centers.

90 people were arrested last night and taken to Evin prisoner, however their names have not officially been registered with the prison, therefore their families have no way of knowing their whereabout, or can get in touch with them.

The 84 people in section 241 of the Evin prison are under terrible conditions, with 3 to 4 people occupaying a tiny cell and their bodies are completely bruised due to torture and physical abuse which they suffered before being taken to the cells. Among the people who have been arrested there are at least 6 women. Most of these individuals have been charged with insulting the Islamic Regime leaders, protesting and one individual has been charged with carrying a weapon.

The Human Rights Activists in Iran are extremely worried about the well being of these individuals and demand an immediate and fair look into their files.

Latest news from Human Rights Activists In Iran regarding another political prisoner Mostafa Daryanavard who is on his 5th day of hunger strike.

Mostafa Daryanavard a political prisoner in Iran who is on the 5th day of his hunger strike, was threatened by prison officials to break his hunger strike. Once the prison officials realized that their threats would not be successful, Davoud Baghviye the Evin prison warden for s. 7 of the prison further and repeatedly threatened him.

Mr. Daryanavard has stated that he will not break his hunger strike until such time where his demands are met. His major demand is the separation of political “crimes” v. non political crimes as well as the separation of political prisoners including himself from non political criminals.

Human Rights Activists in Iran condemn the treatment of Mr. Daryavand as well as the general detainment of political prisoners with common criminals as a from of psychological torture. At the same time the Human Rights Activists in Iran are extremely concerned about the health and well being of Mr. Mostafa Daryanavard.

Khaled Hardani is an Iranian Political Prisoner whose execution date has been set for July 4th 2007. Mr. Hardani was first arrested in January of 2001 when along with 11 members of his extended family he attempted to Hijack a 30 seater passenger air craft. He wanted to attempt and force the plane to fly to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. Reportedly the family was trying to escape the extreme poverty and discrimination they were facing as members of Iranian Arab Minorities. Mr. Hardani along with two of his brother in laws were sentenced to death on charges of acts against national security (egdam aleyhe amniyat) and Moharebeh or enmity with god, not in relation to specific charges regarding the hijacking of the plane. Khaled Hardani has been in prison for the past seven years under severe physical and psychological torture. He was originally sentenced to hang on January 19, 2005, however the head of Judiciary ordered a stay of execution, so that his lawyer could appeal the sentence. Two months ago Mr. Hardani was transferred to Raji Shahr Prison which is one of the worst prisons in Iran. Numbers of his family members including his wife and small child have also been imprisoned in the past. On June 7th 2007 he was informed of his new date of execution which is set for July 4th , 2007. He has appealed to all human rights activists and organizations to help save his life. Although we have become aware of his situation at the last minute, there is still time to try to help. We may not be able to stop the execution but we can certainly try. History has shown time and again that international pressure does work. Executions have been stopped, people have been saved from torture and death sentenced have been commuted thanks to international pressure. Please write to your MP’s, contact different human rights organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights watch as well as write about him on your websites and blogs. Lets get the word out as fast and as wide as possible.

About This Writer

Sayeh Hassan is a criminal defense lawyer with Walter Fox & Associates and an Iranian Pro-Democracy activist. She is the author of the shiro-khorshid-forever blog (www.shiro-khorshid-forever.blogspot.com) which focuses on the pro-democracy movement and Regime Change in Iran. Through her pro-democracy activities she stays in close contact with activists in Iran as well as retaining contacts with various human rights and pro-democracy organizations abroad. She regularly speaks at conferences, has appeared on television and radio programs and her writing has been published by publications such as National Post, Toronto Star & Ottawa Citizen. She can be contacted at sayehhassan30@gmail.com